My sister in law just found out she's pregnant with her second. She is going to be on the medicaid that's for pregnant moms and newborns (forget what it's called in Texas). Finances for my brother and his wife are really tight right now (especially since this pregnancy was not planned), so they need a midwife who takes medicaid; they have no money to pay out of pocket.

She got the typical hospital ride with her last, (pitocin, epi, more pitocin, more epi, baby in distress, etc) so now she is wanting to go with a midwife and free standing birth center (or she might be open to homebirth, not sure).

update: she said she found out that North Houston Birth Center takes medicaid (or says it does on the website). The birth center is inside a medical building (not a hospital; like a building that has doctor's offices and such in it) which just sort of struck me as odd but the photos show several birthing rooms with jacuzzi tubs, a afamily room, etc. so basically on the insdie like any other birth center. but there's no info on the website about her philsophy of birth, how interventive they are in the birth process, etc. I'm assuming since it's a CNM who takes medicaid that she does not/cannot take VBAC's, twins, postdates, or breeches.

Has anyone had any experiences with this birth center? so far it is the only one i've found that takes medicaid. It's 45 minutes away from my SIL but so far it's all we can find.

Feel free to PM me off list for more info... I doula'd at North Houston Birth Center and do not reccommend it for mom's who truly want a natural birth with no interventions. Lots of typical medical things are done routinely there that may not bother some, but are issues for mom's who have expectations as well as the approach of the midwife on staff. rite of Passage birth center in Pearland takes Medicaid. They have 3 midwives on staff. I delivered my boys there as well as apprentice there now. I highly reccommend them!

Yeah, she called the Katy Birth Center. It's like, across the street from their house, but they don't take medicaid :-/ I will tell her about the north houston birth center and the interventions, thanks. I think she was probably going to check out pearland. I would guess it might be a tad closer? Maybe?

Federal law now requires all state Medicaid agencies to pay for the services of freestanding birth centers AND for the midwives who provide services in birth centers. So, in Texas, that means that Medicaid should pay for all birth centers. At the present time, however, Texas Medicaid is only paying for birth centers owned or staffed by CNMs, not Licensed Midwives. Texas Medicaid officials told me (I work for the American Association of Birth Centers and have been working on getting this implemented in all states) that they would change their rules to add Licensed Midwives and Birth Centers owned by Licensed Midwives (as well as home births with Licensed Midwives), but they still haven't done anything. They told me in December that they would start working on changing the rules to add LMs and LM Birth centers in February, but I called the other day and they seem to be stalling. Email or call Billy Millwee, the Director of Texas Medicaid, and Michelle Harper, who is working on the rule change, and tell them that moms who have Medicaid or CHIP want access to licensed midwives, to ALL birth centers regardless of the type of midwife, and to home birth services also. Call your state representative and state senator too and let them know that you want Texas medicaid to add LMs and LM-owned birth centers to Medicaid. Tell them it will save the State of Texas a lot of money, because birth centers and midwives are so much more cost-effective than hospitals and MDs.

Susan I am trying to find a place of my daughter who just found she is expecting! I had her at home in another state with midwives. She doesnt want to have her first at home, but wants the options available that midwive have available without all the drugs and medical intervention. I've contacted the Katy Birth Center and from info today they submit the lab tests to medicaid, but not the genenal cost for their reduced rate for those on medicaid from $5000 to $3600...which if you on medicaid you cant afford that either. Help! We live in Old Katy, and would love to have something close, I would have thought things would have came alot further than what I am reading. I also those that hospitals like maybe Katy Hermann Memorial would have a birthing center, midwives and such, do you know anything?

My daughter gave birth at North Houston Birth Center, this after having had a home birth. However, things were tight with the third pregnancy and medicaid pays for this place. I think it is a very good option for ones wanting a midwife that just can't swing it any other way. Kathy is great. Yes, she can lean to the medical side, but I've seen HB midwives do the same, and worse IMO. My daughter had a beautiful, non medical birth just as if she had been at home. I actually think it's great that this option even exists for moms on Medicaid. If you live on the north side of town it's a good option. JMHO

Hello, I am Anna Poulin. I have taught high school for 18 years as my second career. My first being in Public Health. I have a M.P.H., a masters in public health, concentration in community health. I teach Health Science Technology Education for students who want to pursue a career in the health industry. I have known Kathy Vande Giessen for 12 yrs, had students rotate thru her facility for several years until I changed school districts... even was privileged to catch a few of my student's babies.. I have studied natural childbirth for more than 25 yrs. I presently work at the Birth Center as a part-time Doula for 6 yrs. now... I also provide childbirth classes specific to the Center's clients.

I am enrolled inHCT school to certify as a Health Coach. .... much of my childbirth class involves nutrition and the future well being of families. We are what we eat and what we surround ourselves with the environment.

Working with Kathy has been very positive. She works with the patien'ts desires and wishes. As a trained Nurse Mid-wife she implements technology required to monitor the mother'sand baby's progress thru-out the labor. Such as taking blood pressures, using the dopler to listen to the baby's heart beat on a regular basis. We have had many wonderful water births experiences, the mothers are successful with breastfeeding. And most importantly the mothers are fully supported, emotionally and spiritually....We do not interfer with anyone's preferences on any level. Meaning nothing is done without the mother's and father's/or significant other's informed consent.

I would suggest anyone who wishes to learn further about the North Houston Birth center that they visit with Kathy at the Center pls. call 7136994211. or myself at 832 659 4981...Second hand information could be misleading...it is always best to do the research yourself.

Susan, I'm so glad to see more info on the medicaid issue! I was among the lobbyists who talked to legislators about it a year ago. I really do hope they push it through! I know so many mamas would benefit - as well as the state! I will work on contacting folks to give my support, again.

I know that my wife, Holly Shearman - West Houston Birth Center, tries her darndest to help those that qualify for Medicaid to find ways they can afford a Birth Center birth. You should give her a call and see if it's a good fit for you :)

My daughter visited Compassionate Care Birth Center last week. At 23, she had not planned on having a child for another 3-4 years. This is her first and she is very apprehensive. We took a tour or the local hospitals. We learned they hook up for IV's upon entering labor, average labor 36 hours, 40 percent of births at both hospitals are C-sections. I had my daughter at home with a midwife. It was a wonderful experience and I am hoping my daughter will do the same. My labor less than 12 hours. Although I am not thrilled she is getting Medicaid, this is the only option for care available to her at the moment. I am truly saddened that most Birthing Centers don't accept Medicaid. My daughter took the tour of the CC Birth Center and was very happy with what she saw and those she spoke with. It was a relaxed and positive atmosphere. CCBC offered a somewhat lower price to help compensate for not taking Medicaid. That was MUCH appreciated. Now I am just waiting. The baby's father does not want us to have to pay...so am not sure what will happen in the end. It would be great if the Birth Centers could/would work together w/ Medicare.